A perfect day for a quiet friend

Dale was grateful Liv reached out in the Facetime when she did. She knew she should have done something sooner, but with the job at the TV station, her hours were never really hers lately. With fingers crossed, she hoped she didn't get the virus that Tristan had. After all, Liv was calling her brother.

"Yeah, he's been down with something. He's complaining about his legs hurting," Dale told her. She'd googled something about Myositis. It might be that. Tristan had been teaching third graders lately as the local Zoo partnership with the local schools.

"His legs?" Liv sounded alarmed. For a moment Dale felt she was talking to Tristan's mom. She was sure Liv wouldn't find it that funny and neither would Tristan. "It's not cellulitis, is it?"

"Oh, I don't think so." Dale was frightened of the thought as she peered into the cell camera like a doe lost in the snow. 

"You don't know?" Liv did sound like Tristan's mother.

"Well.. he's been staying in the basement the last few nights," she didn't want to get sick. "I didn't ask him, too."

Dale pressed her lips hoping that was sufficient information. "I've ... he said it would be best."

"When's the last time you've checked on him?" Liv snapped.

"He's sleeping," Dale winced with a sigh. Of course, she'd hardly been home. Her stomach growled. She didn't even know if they had anything to eat.

"We've had some horrible cold weather."

"It's cold everywhere," Liv said. She didn't look happy.

"How are you feeling?" Dale went on to say wondering just how Liv thought of her. She wasn't trying to be fake. Oh, this all felt like a lost cause to her. She was certain they'd never be friends. And she really needed a friend right now, but Dora just had a baby and well she couldn't bother her.

"Oh," Dale smiled as if finally a light bulb went off in that silly brain of hers, "Dora and Holden had their baby."

Liv wasn't even smiling. 

Dale was at a stand still. The silence grew. "Oh, I.. I think I heard Tristan. I better go." Dale gritted a smile. Afterwards, she wasn't even sure she said goodbye.